31 Days: Rise Up and Follow Him

"My sheep will hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27,28

John's call was to prepare the way of The Lord. He said,"I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of The Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."  He knew his calling, and his example in scripture was not with 'feathery', gentle words.

We are all called to "...put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other..." Col 3:12,13. And while to minister primarily in gentle words is the call for some (we must have those), there must also be 'fiery' John the Baptists and Pauls and Peters, Jeremiahs and Isaiahs.  We need both the gentle and the 'fiery' to rise up in this present age. And both need to speak the truth of God, unapologetically.

We must not all expect to look alike, to be called to the same calling, and to be gifted the same. We can't 'bite' (Gal. 5:15) other sheep because they have different assignments that are not just like ours, AND we can't abandon our assignment because it looks different from the other sheep. Jesus says, 'You follow Me.'

Peter looks and asks, "What about this man?" Jesus said to him, 'If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." John 21:21,22

Don't concern yourself so much with how He is dealing with His other sheep or directing them. Those are their directions, and He gives you YOURS. Other people's applause, or lack thereof, or even their criticism or disdain, does not set your course. Allow Him and His Word and Truth and righteousness to set your course.  Hear His voice, His direction, and follow Him. You are accountable to Him.

We would all say that we wish to 'come after Him'.  How does He instruct us?:

 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must

deny himself, [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests]

and take up his cross [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party]

and follow Me. [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]" 
Mark 8:34 (with Amplified Bible added)

Could we just pause and take a few more seconds and look over that list again?  Are we so 'familiar' with the words that we forget the meaning and the commitment and the calling and just go through our days, day by day preoccupied with our own interests?

Do we seriously want to come after Him? Then let us deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow. 

As you keep your eyes on Him, He will supply strength for the journey and courage. 

Keep your eyes on His call, His confidence, His direction, His victory, and what He says, NOT what you 'think' others MIGHT 'think'. 

Don't abandon your call. Fulfill your ministry.

John 10:4 "..the sheep follow him because they know his voice."

Rise up and follow Him.